Students travelling to various destinations across the South Rift for the holidays have been left stranded after public service vehicle (PSV) operators increased fares by between 50 and 100 per cent amid rising fuel prices.
Several students were forced to contact their parents for additional money, while others opted to walk long distances in a bid to cut transport costs.
“I am travelling to Nairobi. I had to call my parents to send me more money because the money I had was not enough,” said one student stranded at a bus stage.
In Bomet, PSV operators reportedly doubled fares for passengers travelling to destinations including Eldoret, Narok and Nairobi, leaving many travellers struggling to meet the increased costs.
A similar situation was witnessed in Narok, where hundreds of students were stranded at bus stages in Narok town as they waited for their parents to send them money to continue their journeys.
The students said the fare increases had left them with little or no money for food and other essential needs. Some feared they would be forced to seek temporary accommodation at their friends' homes as they waited for additional money from their parents.
“Now I do not even have money to buy lunch or anything else. I spent all the money I had on fare,” said another student.
Parents appeal for government intervention
Parents in Bomet expressed frustration over the sudden fare increases, saying they had been forced to divert money meant for other household expenses to ensure their children returned home safely.
Among them were Joyce Siele and Anna Kirui, who appealed to President William Ruto to intervene, warning that rising fuel prices and increased transport costs were placing additional pressure on already stretched household budgets.
They cautioned that the situation could worsen during the long school holiday, when families face additional expenses.
Similar concerns were raised in Narok, where parents, including Silvia Ntutu and Mary Naisho, said they had been forced to borrow money to send to their children after they became stranded at various destinations.
The parents said the unexpected expenses had disrupted their household budgets, leaving them struggling to meet other basic needs.
Meanwhile, travellers across the South Rift region, including students heading home for the holidays, expressed concern over the rising cost of public transport.
PSV operators defend fare increases
PSV operators defended the fare increases, saying they had been compelled to adjust their charges following a rise in fuel prices, which they said had increased their operating costs.
The operators also criticised the government for what they described as a failure to address their concerns and protect their interests. They threatened to withdraw their vehicles from the roads in protest against the rising fuel costs.
However, passengers condemned the fare increases, saying the additional transport expenses would further strain household budgets and make life more difficult for Kenyans already grappling with the high cost of living.
With students struggling to get home and parents scrambling to raise additional money, travellers called for urgent intervention to address the rising transport costs and ease the burden on families during the school holidays.
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